Managing Strengths in Three Steps

Excellent performance is based on strengths

This article is a follow up of Effective managers pay attention to strengths. That article explained how excellent performance is primarily based on identifying, applying and developing strengths. The statement is supported by solid research by Gallup. However, in everyday practice most (HR) managers seem to take strengths for granted and focus first and foremost on identifying and eliminating weaknesses and deficits.

Large-scale international research by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O' Clifton (2001) has shown that effective manager do not emphasize weaknesses and limitations but strengths. From their research it has become clear that effective managers are led by the convictions that everyone's talents are lasting and unique and that the greatest opportunity for development for each person lies in the area of their greatest strengths.

Strengths are talents + skills + knowledge

The authors define strengths as a talents completed with skills and knowledge. Skills and knowledge can be developed very well providing talent is there but talent itself can not, or hardly, be developed. Strengths can thus be developed by identifying talents and completing them with skills and knowledge. Of course, weaknesses and limitations don't have to be denied or ignored. After all, eliminating impeding limitations can be a necessary requirement of good performance too.

Step 1: Identifying talents

Talents are not only recognizable in good performance but also in things like interests, affinities, gratification, and speed of learning. Below you will find some examples of questions you can ask to identify talents and strengths of employees (Visser & Thissen, 2002).

Clues and example questions

1. Performance

When does the employee perform exceptionally well? An indication of a talent is often consistent good performance. One thing is important to point out: even if the employee does not perform to well on the whole you can focus on strengths by identifying those situations in which the performance did exceed expectations.

2. Fast learning

What kinds of new knowledge and skills does the employee acquire with above average speed?

3. Interest

Which activities does the employee love to do?

4. Gratification

Which activities and tasks give the employee the most gratification? When does the employee talk with great enthusiasm about his or her work? What accomplishments is the employee most proud of? What made these so special?

Step 2: Applying and using Strengths

Identifying talents is only a first step. After that you can start to really manage base don strengths. Managers often say that they are motivated to do so but don't know how. A manager in a technical company said:

"I would love to contribute to the development of the strengths of my employees. But how exactly do you do that? In appraisal conversations I often can't think of anything else to say about strengths … than that they are strengths. And then the conversation again focuses on weaknesses and problems."

Here are some suggestions about what to do with strengths. These suggestions can be used both by the managers and by the employee.

Actions and explanation

1. Apply the strength consciously

Help employees to use their strengths. This may seem like forcing an open door but many people often leave their strengths unused. Help the employee to see that it is wise to use strengths consciously. Applying strengths when they are unasked for is a waste of your talents and can be annoying to others. What is often seen as a weakness is actually a strength in a situation or at a time that does not ask for it. The question thus is: when is the time right to use your strengths?

2. Develop the strength

Help employees to complete their talents with knowledge and skills. Some ways to do this are practicing with others, doing a training, and teaming up with experienced colleagues.

3. Challenge the strength by applying it on a higher level

Help employees to learn to stretch their strengths step by step by applying strengths on a slightly higher level (a bit more complex, a bit more challenging).

4. Apply the strength more broadly

Help employees to find new applications for their strengths (in which other situations might the strength be useful too?

Step 3: Managing Weaknesses

As mentioned before, it is really not necessary to ignore or deny weaknesses and limitations. Not only would that be asking too much of people, it can also be just plainly useful to acknowledge problems and to take away hindering factors like weaknesses and limitations. But the way you do that is important. Don't try to turn real weaknesses into real strengths. This will most likely be a complete waste of time and lead to frustration both with you and the employee. How to do it more effectively? Here are some suggestions.

Action Explanation

1. Improve just a bit

When an employee clearly displays a weakness (for instance, he is consistently doing things wrong) demand from him to improve the skill in question to an acceptable level.

2. Use resources

Help employees to utilize circumstances, procedures, tools, and systems to compensate their weaknesses.

3. Make weaknesses irrelevant

Help employees to make their weakness though their strengths: develop them to such a level that clients, colleagues, etc don't mind about your weaknesses anymore.

4. Find a partner

Help employees to find people that complement them. Their weaknesses can be compensated by strengths of others. In addition to this: help employees develop attention to and appreciation for diversity and strengths of others and help them to see how other peoples strengths help to compensate their own weaknesses.

5. Stop doing it

When employees are weak in something it can be an option to just stop doing the task. This can imply that the employee must switch jobs but in most cases this will not be necessary. Often, it will be possible to assign tasks in such a way that people can focus largely on things they like to do and do well. The main reason this is possible is that people differ a lot in talents and interests.

Management and self

hopefully you like these tips and see their use in you job as a (HR) manager. The suggestions are intended principally to be of use for you in your management responsibility. But they may also be useful for the way you manage yourself. After all, you own performance is also served best with a strengths-based approach.

source : http://articlescoertvisser.blogspot.com

Fwd: The Genius in All of Us

Excerpt from The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You've Been Told About Genetics, Talent, and IQ Is Wrong

Here is an excerpt from the book The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You've Been Told About Genetics, Talent, and IQ Is Wrong

We know that genetic factors do not operate "instead of" environmental factors, they interact with them: GxE. Genetic differences do exist. But those differences aren't straitjackets holding us in place; they are bungee cords waiting to be stretched and stretched. When positive environmental triggers such as parental speaking are discovered, the appropriate response is not to caution against their possible irrelevance, but to embrace their influence on our genes-- and our lives. And now we know what some of those triggers are:

Speaking to children early and often: This trigger was revealed in Hart and Risley's incontrovertible study and reinforced by the University of North Carolina's Abecedarian Project, which provided environmental enrichment to children from birth, with the study subjects showing substantial gains compared with a control

Reading early and often: In 2003, a national study reported the positive influence of early parent- to- child reading, regardless of parental education level. In 2006, a similar study again found the same thing about reading, this time ruling out any effects of race, ethnicity, class, gender, birth order, early education, maternal education, maternal verbal ability, and maternal warmth.

Nurture and encouragement: Hart and Risley also found that, in the first four years after birth, the average child from a professional family receives 560,000 more instances of encouraging feedback than discouraging feedback; a working- class child receives merely 100,000 more encouragements than discouragements; a welfare child receives 125,000 more discouragements than encouragements.

Setting high expectations: As Sherman and Key found in 1932, "children develop only as the environment demands development."

Embracing failure: Coaches, CEOs, teachers, parents, and psychologists all now recognize the importance of pushing their charges to the limit, and just beyond. Setbacks must be seen as learning tools rather than signs of permanent built- in limitation.

Encouraging a "growth mindset: Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck has built her prestigious career on the importance of individuals believing that their own abilities are malleable-- not fixed from birth. Many studies show that the more a person believes that abilities can be developed, the greater the success that person will eventually enjoy.

Eight Good Manager's Behaviors and Three Pitfalls

The New York Times reports on a project done at Google called Project Oxygen. The aim of the project was to find out what the best managers at Google do to have teams with individuals that perform better, are retained better, and are happier. The project team gathered more than 10,000 observations about managers — across more than 100 variables, from various performance reviews, feedback surveys and other reports. They then looked for some preliminary patterns in the data and formed hypotheses. Next, they gathered additional data by systematically interviewing managers to test these hypotheses. Finally, they analyzed theses data and drew conclusions. The conclusions were summarized in 'Google's Rules' which consists of a set of eight good behaviors which are operationalized in behavioral terms and three pitfalls of managers.

These conclusions were communicated throughout the organization and incorporated into various training programs. According to the article the impact of these activities on improving managerial competence has been good.

source : http://solutionfocusedchange.blogspot.com

Introduction to Indian Revenue Service (Customs, Central Excise, Service Tax & Narcotics)

The Indian Revenue Service (IRS) is one of the Premier Group A Civil Services of India. Indian Revenue Service comprises of two branches (Customs & Central Excise) and (Income Tax) controlled by two separate Statutory Bodies, Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC) & Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). These officers are the tax administrators of India. They are either under the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) or the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) in the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India Selection is through the Civil Services Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission through a three-stage combined selection process called the Civil Services Examination.

Training

IRS Officer Trainees (OTs, as they are fondly referred to) undergo a 3 month foundational training officers from Central Services (Group A followed by a 16 month rigorous professional training in National Academy of Customs Excise and Narcotics here they are intensively trained in principles, concepts and advances in Management, Taxation. Public Policy and Law in addition to rigorous physical defense and firearms training.

Postings

Starting with the prestigious post of Assistant Commissioner, IRS officers rise up to Chief Commissioner level with the senior most ones reaching the post of Member/Chairperson - CBEC / CESTAT / Settlement Commissions.The officers of the Department of Revenue looks after matters relating to all administration work pertaining to the Department, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (NDPSA), the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1976 (SAFEM (FOP) A), the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 (FEMA), Prevention of Money- Laundering Act, 2002 and the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA), and matters relating to the following attached offices of the Department:

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Chief Controller of Factories, Central Bureau of Narcotics,Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal * CESTAT,Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR) for Customs and Central Excise

They are also deputed to the Vigilance Department, Securities & Exchange Board of India, Narcotics Control Bureau apart from heading various cells in the Ministry of Finance and other ministries in the Indian Government.

The introduction of automated interfaces using electronic technologies has the potential of reducing such shortcomings in the system.An IRS officer is entrusted with the task of completing the assessment of the Tax Returns (as in Income Tax, Central Excise and Service Tax) or Border Control in relation to Import and Export of goods (as in Customs). It requires prolonged verifications and inquiries and investigations.An IRS officer gets limited staff to assist him in this task. The reduction of manpower in the field in recent years has had a bearing on this.

source: indirecttax@groups.facebook.com 

Top 100 Interview Questions

Question:1. Tell Me a Little About Yourself?
Answer:
This is the most general and probably the most difficult question, as one has to cover up the entire life story within a couple of minutes. But if handled well, this can be the best from the candidate's point of view. There is no need to explain about your childhood, hobbies or schooling. Instead this is an invitation to convince the interviewer what you can offer the company through your education, training or experience. Yes, you can describe your co-curricular activities; interest or part time work provided they have some relation with the job you are applying for.

As you have to prove your credibility for the job, it is important to explain how you attracted in this particular kind of job, company and your key accomplishments in the previous job. Again the time allotted to a particular candidate would be limited and hence one should make most out of it focusing on the above-mentioned points.

Question:2. Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?
Answer:
This is another common question that one can be expect to be asked in almost every interview and its answer depends on different circumstances. Possibly there can be three different categories and one has to explain it in suitable context. Whatever may be the context but one should stay positive when answering this question. You should try to make positive statement about the previous job and company that can show your desire for growth, taking responsibilities and facing challenges.

Here are the three circumstances and some key points to answer these questions:

Resign for a change – Every one wants a new position and takes new challenges just to prove that s/he is able to take the next step of his career. So when answering this one never tried to show any kind of disregard to your current job instead explain that the next job is more challenging and can be another stepping stone in your career.

You can answer in this way as you are in this current company for two years and no more find the work interesting. You want new challenges for learning new things. Point out that there are no advanced opportunities in the present company and therefore you decided for a change, which will be helpful in your career goal.

Lay off – This is also a very common thing in most of the private sector but the answer should be specific with facts and figures behind your lay off. There can be a situation that a company faces bankruptcy and so decided to cut the number of employees or even eliminate some departments. Again one can explain that position along with his/her group was eliminating as the project on which they were working on was cancelled. So it's not a big taboo these days and you just have to explain it in a more effective way.

Get Fired – Its becomes a little difficult to answer in this circumstances but one should be honest and quick while explaining it. Explain frankly whether you have faced any unfair circumstances or did something wrong that pushed you under this situation. Neither you have to present your former employer in a negative way nor a victim of yourself. Always explain what you have learned from this experience in making you stronger.

Question: 3. What's Your Biggest Weakness?
Answer:
This is a typical and bit difficult question that every job applicant faces. Here are certain tips to tackle interview questions particularly this one. Interviewer wants to check your challenging ability in facing adverse situation. However, the important thing that one should keep in mind that after discussing your weakness point always try to mention the measures you have done to overcome it.

One should not confess something big but should consider a weakness that is real, understandable, work related and relatively harmless. The interviewer is always in search for your ability of self-assessment and a commitment and your effort for self-development. Select a weakness that can be seen both in positive as well as negative, but should not directly related to the job for which you are being interviewed.

Examples -

Procrastinate - I used to have a tendency to procrastinate but now I am prepared to make a strict schedule for all my projects even setting up a deadline.

Time management – Because of my busy schedule time management is a problem for me. But I have recently purchased a PDA that can help me in keeping better organized.

Speaking in front of a group – I used to get nervous while speaking in front of a group but now taking public speaking classes and have become much more comfortable.

Perfectionist – Most of time I focus a little more on my project with intend to be a perfectionist. That brings a little more stress but now I when I am working on a project, first I list out all priorities and then started work on it.

Question: 4. Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
Answer: This is one of the questions that every interviewer asks at the end but surprisingly the common answer is 'no' which shows a wrong attitude. The answer should be 'yes' following a couple of thoughtful questions. The questions can be related to the company, the kind of position and even you can ask the interviewer about his likes and dislikes about the company.

Always avoid asking questions on package like salary, vacation as these show that you are much more interested about the compensation than the job. You can ask about the kind of projects you have to work if you will be selected. Also don't forget to ask the next step in the interview process of the job.

Question: 5. What experience do you have in this field?
Answer: Mention specific information related to the position you are attaining the interview. If you don't have any experience in the respective field then just clear them that you are a fresher and just completed your academics or what so ever.

Question: 6. Do you consider yourself successful?
Answer: One should always answer yes following a brief explanation. The best answer should be like this: Yes I can consider myself successful as I have certain set goals from which I have achieved and rest is on the track.

Question: 7. What do co-workers say about you?
Answer: One should always come up with some quotes from co-workers either any particular statement or comment. It really doesn't matter in any interview whether you said a positive or negative.

Question: 8. What do you know about this organization?
Answer: This question requires some research on the organization prior to interview. It is better to find out the market status, products, competitor, development issues and effort for its advancement etc. Also it's important to know company's history and yearly growth rate that can show a clear aspect for its bright future. All these things can show your genuine interest in this company.

Question: 9. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Answer: Tell about your various improvement activities that you have done in context of your job. Activities related to any project in the previous organization or even some more academic qualification that can be mentioned as a positive self-improvement. Mention some handy ones.

Question: 10. Are you applying for other jobs?
Answer: Don't waste much time in answering this question and reply with honestly. Your focus should be on this organization and the level of commitment you can do for the growth of this organization.

Question: 11. Why do you want to work for this organization?
Answer: The answer to this question should show that you are interested in making a long-term career in this organization. This may take some though but here your research on the company will help you in giving a good answer.
Describe a similarity between your and the company's needs. Also explain that as both needs are coincide with each other it will beneficial for the company as well as your career.

Question: 12. Do you know anyone who works for us?
Answer: This is question should be handled carefully as this can have implication on your answer. Though the interviewer may ask about friends instead of relatives but the name of the friends you are going to mention should have well thought of you.

Question: 13. What is your Expected Salary?
Answer: A direct or odd answer can take you out of this race rather say something like that it's a tough question but I think I have contributed the best of my ability in my previous job and can make the same in every new job. So, the salary range should reflect the value of my skills. Even, you can convey it in a different way by asking the range of the salary for this position on the basis of which you can present a wide range.

Question: 14. Are you a team player?
Answer: Working together as a team is the key point in achieving greater goal than anyone could have achieved individually. So, reply quickly with a fine example that you are a team player. You can present examples of your academics and athletics skills in school or college days. You can mention your previous work in which you do assists your colleagues in several team projects as a member or a team leader.

Question: 15. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
Answer: Don't specify any particular time period and your answer should reflect that you want to work for a long period provided both the organization and you are happy with the job.
I am looking for a long-term commitment and so want to work as long as my contribution is recognized.

Question: 16. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
Answer: This is a serious one, as the answer will show your whole organizational responsibility. Your answer should be something like that you will like to fire someone when anyone's personal ambition or in general work comes against the betterment of the organization. When it comes to the organization it is the duty of every committed employ to protect the organization.

Question: 17. What is your philosophy towards work?
Answer: This doesn't require a philosophical description here. The answer should be simple and positive that you want to provide the best of your ability for the betterment of the organization.

Question: 18. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Answer: Since you have to work then it is better to say no with a note that you like to prefer this kind of work. But your answer can be yes if you really mean it.

Question: 19. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
Answer: If not then say no but if you have come across such situation then be honest and give a brief and never say anything negative about the individual or organization involved.

Question: 20. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization?
Answer: This question provides you a chance to highlight your positive points relating to your job and how you can give benefit to the organization with your effort. Think a little ahead as far as your relationship and company is concerned.

You can also mention that you are looking for the right opportunity to apply your present skills and at the same time develop new ones from the experience and that would be an asset to the organization.

Question: 21. Why should we hire you?
Answer: Explain how your knowledge, skills, ability and experience and willingness to learn new things make you the best candidate for the position and point out how those things according to the needs of the organization. Never compare yourself with any other candidate.

Question: 22. What are your strengths?
Answer: There can be numerous answers to this question but your answer should be always related to the current job you are interviewing for. You can mention some of professional strengths such as your ability to work under pressure, leadership skill, ability to focus on projects, positive attitude in working as a team member etc.

Question: 23. What irritates you about co-workers?
Answer: This is a tricky question but you can answer it honestly. Answer anything that really irritates you or disturbs your work.
Example – What really irritate me are people who pay more attention to their cell phone conversation and don't follow instructions.

Question: 24. What is your ideal work environment?
Answer: In an ideal work environment all employees are treated as fairly as possible irrespective of their position with equal opportunity to learn and contribute for the betterment of the organization.

Question: 25. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
Answer: Provide several reasons including your interest, skills and past experience with other organization that can prove you.

Question: 26. What are you looking for in a job? Or tell me about your dream job?
Answer: Don't mention any specific type of job as it has both positive and negative aspects. Instead, answer something like this:
A job that I enjoy doing the work while applying my present skills and also that provides me opportunity to learn something more.
A job that offers an opportunity to grow, growth in terms of position, responsibility and also salary that in tern provides a sense of fulfillment.

Question: 27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
Answer: "Money is always important but work is most important". This is the most simple and effective answer.

Question: 28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
Answer: There can be number of good answers like loyal, energetic, leadership quality, team player, patience, hard working etc. Just present it in a positive attitude.

Question: 29. What negative thing would your last boss say about you?
Answer: The intent of this question is to describe your weaknesses. So it is always better to discuss the weakness that you have developed as your strength. Your answer should reflect in a positive way as such your last boss had pointed it out just to encourage you.
Example - "S/he did not mean it as a negative point but suggest me to present my work in a little more dynamic and creative way". I took help of my seniors and able to make some real improvement in my skills.

Questions: 30. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
Answer: Don't response in an ordinary way, as it would take it as unfaithfulness to the organization. Again any minor objection will present you merely as a complainer. So your answer should be in a practical way. For example: an irresponsible person who pays more attention to others rather his/her own duties.


Question: 31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
Answer: This is to assess your attitude towards pressure. To answer this question give an example related to you're past job and how did you handle it. Don't hesitate to tell that usually you don't easily cope with pressure but add that knowing the deadline in advance helps in working better in that condition.

Question: 32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
Answer: Answer should reflect that you like this job and describe this as it suits your profile and interest.

Question: 33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
Answer: This answer is based on your own feelings so it can be different for everyone.
Example – courage to face new challenge, a hunger to achieve something new and a little recognition and identity really makes me to do the best on the job.

Question: 34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
Answer: Be totally honest while answering this. It depends on your own comfort, so really doesn't matter much.

Question: 35. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Answer: Interviewer wants to reveal your career plan whether in short term or long terms as far as the job and the company is concerned. Answer this in such a way that will show your ambition but in a practical way. Show the importance of the job you are interviewing for as a part of your career goal.
Example – I have certain goals, which I wish to achieve with this company.
I want to develop myself professionally in this company with complete dedication.

Question: 36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
Answer: This is totally based on personal comfort level. So no need to say yes if don't want in really otherwise it will create a lot problem later on.

Question: 37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
Answer: This question directly invites your attitude of dedication and loyalty. So, just say 'yes' without its ethical implication.

Question: 38. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Answer: Don't analyze your qualification and just say that you are well qualified for this position.

Question: 39. Describe your work ethic?
Answer: Emphasize on the benefit of the organization. Answer should be like this:
I want to work with complete determination and for the betterment of the organization and finally working means enjoying my work.

Question: 40. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
Answer: If you think that you can manage a team as a team leader then your answer can be a team leader. Otherwise, if you feel satisfied in any particular position then don't hesitate to point that out.

Question: 41. How can you describe your previous job?
Answer: Here the intention of the interviewer is to find out your priorities. The interviewer wants to know, whether you are going to focus on your achievements, the organization or the project on hand but you can focus on any of them depending on the type of job you are looking. You can describe what you have learnt, how you enjoyed your job while working in a team and many more but in a positive note.

Question: 42. What is the biggest mistake you have committed?
Answer: Don't say that you have not done any mistake rather tell them any one of your mistake and mention what lesson you have learnt from it, so that you will not repeat the same in future.

Question: 43. Do you think that your academic performance truly reflect your talents?
Answer: Don't say that you deserved better marks rather you may mention that if you had avoided certain mistakes, perhaps you would have performed better. But you have learnt lessons from it.

Questions: 44. What did you hate most on your previous job or organization?
Answer: Your answer should be something like that you have not find any such thing as an employ should enjoy every part of his job. Only this kind of attitude can show your efficiency and dedication.

Question: 45. You have a job. If you were appointed here, how long would you take to join us?
Answer: This question is to check your commitment. So if you are keen to join the new organization don't ever tell that you can join the next day. Just tell that you will join as soon as possible. You can explain that you have some pending work in hand which you need to finish and so you need one or two weeks. Such an answer will make the interviewer clear that you are committed to your work and you better understand your responsibility.

Question: 46. You are an employed person. Now you are seeking this job. Don't you feel that you are snatching the opportunity of an unemployed person?
Answer: Example - No I don't think so. I know that I have a good job now but it doesn't provide that much opportunity to grow my professional capabilities. I think your organization is in a state of growth and expect better prospect here. Again when I will leave my current company, a vacancy will be generated there. In this way I am not snatching the opportunity of an unemployed person.

Question: 47. How did you cope with the stresses and strains in obeying the instructions of your supervisor? Did you not feel that you were surrendering your self-respect on such situations?
Answer: In every organization there are rules and regulations to follow, which are necessary for its growth. In fact, if my supervisor points out any mistake of mine, I take it in a positive way and do the best to avoid in future. So I experienced no difficulty in obeying instruction or handling criticism.

Question: 48. Why haven't you found a new position before now?
Answer: I am not looking for any job and finding the right kind of job takes time.

Question: 49. What position do you expect to have in two years?
Answer: Just say that you wish to improve yourself personally and professionally so that you will be in a promotional track.

Question: 50. What kind of hours are you used to working?
Answer: I can work as many hours to complete my job at the right time.

Question: 51. If you had your choice of jobs and companies, where would you go?
Answer: Here, you have to give job preference and answer should reflect that the job profile and company suits very much to your career goals.


Question: 52. Do you prefer working with figures, or with words?
Answer: Give an answer keeping in mind the requirements and the position of the job. It can be both in figures and words.

Question: 53. Describe what would be an ideal working environment? Or what kind of a work environment are you comfortable in working?
Answer: An environment that provides me a chance to use and enhance my skills for the betterment of the organization. The organization should also provide an open communication environment among team members.

Question: 54. What are your short-term goals?
Answer: My short-term goal is to find a good job with an ideal profile in a company that moves forward with a better future perspective.

Question: 55. What is your long-range objective? Or what are your long-term goals?
Answer: I have divided my long-term goals into different segments as short term objective as it will easy to achieve. My short term goal is to get a good job in a company that provides better opportunity to grow professionally as well as personally.

Question: 56. How do you evaluate success?
Answer: Its measurement is different for everyone but to me success means achieving your goals whether in short term or long term with complete dedication and hard work. Success should be measured through satisfaction though not complete fulfillment. However, success depends on level of performance.

Question: 57. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
Answer: Hard work and complete dedication in achieving career objectives makes one successful.

Question: 58. What decision have you most regretted?
Answer: Be fare and honest in answering this question. If you did something that you regret now, then explain but also mention that you have learnt from that mistake. Even you can also say that you take life as its comes and never regret for anything as mistakes are a part of life and one should always learn to never repeat the same one.

Question: 59. Have you been involved in any extracurricular or volunteer activities while at university or college?
Answer: Describe all kinds of extracurricular activities you have participated and focus on how these helped in improve your personality.

Question: 60. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
Answer: One should be positive and give a universal answer that is common like a sense of humor, fair, helpful, encouraging and obviously excellent managerial skill.

Question: 61. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Answer: Just give a common answer with characteristics like hardworking, innovative, problem solving skill and above all a team player.

Question: 62. What has disappointed you about a job?
Answer: Don't be specific about any negative aspect rather relate it with your ability and company's performance. You can also mention areas like less challenge, lesser growth rate that decreases individual responsibility etc.

Question: 63. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor?
Answer: It's a question to test you whether you speak anything wrong of the boss. If you point out anything, it may drag you into trouble as far interview is concerned. So be positive and say that there was not such thing between my supervisor and me.

Question: 64. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute?
Answer: While answering this question, choose any specific incident and focus on the steps you have taken in solving rather than the main problem.

Question: 65. Do you have a sense of humor or do you take yourself too seriously?
Answer: Laughter lightens heart and is necessary for making a tension free atmosphere. As professional life is full of pressure and success depends on how you handle pressure, humor or laughter is essential and so I also enjoy these moments.

Question: 66. Are you willing to learn, no matter how difficult it is?
Answer: No point to say 'no' and explain that you are here to learn new things while working and so ready to learn new things to develops my skills and that also proofs beneficiary for the organization.

Question: 67. What challenges do you think you'll face in this job?
Answer: Describe the kinds of challenges you came across in your previous company and how you successfully tackled them. Explain that you are ready to face it or any other kinds of challenges, which you will try to solve with dedication, hard work and also by the cooperation of your colleagues.

Question: 68. What were your responsibilities in the previous job?
Answer: Be specific about your previous position and describe your responsibilities in detail. But the most important thing is to relate them with the current one. This shows that you have the necessary qualification for the current job.

Question: 69. What was the biggest accomplishment in this position?
Answer: Your answer should be directly related to your job you are looking for. So look out your job profile and find out something positive that you have achieved during your previous job. For example: You were working on a project that you had to submit in time but due to plenty of work, it was difficult. Explain how you adjusted the workload and time to finish the project in the due date.

Question: 70. What interests you about this job?
Answer: To answer this question you have to compare the required qualification for the job with your skills and experience. You can also discuss how you are responsible for this kind job in the near past and so you are keen to develop your expertise in this field. Again, you can also discuss your interest in relation to your academics, experience and problem-solving attitude. All these can convey the interviewer that you have the necessary qualification.

Question: 71. How would you react if I told you that your interview, so far, was TERRIBLE?
Answer: Never panic if you hear this question as the interviewer is just asking and not saying that it is terrible. He just tries to figure it out the way to react to criticism. No need to angry or show any kind of rigid attitude rather listen the question and response it calmly.

Question: 72. How did you handle challenges?
Answer: Point out a specific situation in which you do some extra thing to find out a solution for the problem. Even you can mention a situation in which you have to complete the task within a deadline and how you manage to submit the entire project before schedule.

Question: 73. What were your expectations for the job?
Answer: Interviewer wants to find out what you expected from your previous job and to what extent they met your expectation. Discuss honestly whether the position really workout for you or not but don't rely more on negative aspect. Also mention if you have gone through certain kind of training for improving yourself according to the job. Always focus on the job and not the company, co-workers or your supervisor.

Question: 74. What motivates you?
Answer: The interviewer is just trying to figure it out the key to your being successful in this particular kind of job. Here you should focus on your interest and what you liked most about this job. You may mention that new challenges while handling new projects and a thirst to learn something new motivate you to give your hundred percent to your job for both personal satisfaction as well as for the point of view of organization.

Question: 75. What was most / least rewarding?
Answer: This is one of the tricky question through which interviewer wants to find out things that you give prominence. The most important thing that do mention any responsibilities in the list of least rewarding that are going to be a part of this job. Always focus on things that are most rewarding and give prominence to positive value regardless of the question.

Question: 76. You would have admired someone for his or her work, what made you make him your role model?
Answer: This does not hold that much importance as far as interviewee is concerned but one can answer it in three different ways:
1st - I have no role model though there are several people that mostly admires for their work which they do with complete dedication.
2nd - Point out a list of very prominent personality and explain their positive values that makes you consider as your role model.
3rd - Even you can include any one of your close as your role model with explanation of his personality.

Question: 77. What sorts of decisions are most difficult for you?
Answer: The interviewer wants to find out whether you are hesitant or inclusive over important issues or not. One of the best answers can be that you are hesitant over an issue in which you have less knowledge. So trying to find out the best of information about the topic before coming into any final conclusion.

However, your answer should not reflect any weakness and try to point out any situation in which you have to make a decision without sufficient information. Also include in your answer that whenever you have to take a quick decision, you usually bank on your experience.

Question: 78. Tell us about a time when you had a personality clash with your co-worker or boss?
Answer: The main intention of the interviewer is to find out how comfortable you are in getting along with others or not. Also the interviewer tries to find out what kind of co-workers or boss you want to work with. While answering this question is a little diplomatic and try to evade the question with a soft answer.
Example: I have never face such situation and easily gotten along well with everyone I worked with.
If you have come across such situation, then fell free to talk about the arrogant boss or irresponsible co-workers you have had to deal with.
One can answer this question by distinguishing personality clash and clash of values but focus should be on work ethics. Talk about how your boss forced to do something unethical or how the irresponsibility of co-workers led to a conflict.

Question: 79. What qualities are essential to work in a team?
Answer: It depends on the position one is applying for, if job requires working long hour alone, and then you can say that you love to work alone. But if you have to work with others then no need to say that you are uncomfortable with people. The most important thing is to get along with others in the workplace while working on team project.

Question: 80. How would you handle rejection?
Answer: While answering this question one should not take it personally or get dejected. You should consider it as a part of job profile and take something positive out of it.
Question: 81. Why have you had so many employers in the last two years?
Answer: If you are employed as a temp with different companies, then it is obvious that you will face this question. However, don't take it as a negative aspect as most of organizations have both fulltime and temporary workers. Show your years of experience and the skills that you have picked up in these various companies and feel proud that you are able to work in different environments. Also mention the education you learn while working in these companies in temporary basis.

Question: 82. What have you gained from your work experience?
Answer: Pick out one or two work experience and explain it in detail and express what you have learnt from your activities. You can also answer, "My experience taught me to develop my interpersonal skill and lead my team. Also you can mention how you guided your teammates in different conditions that enhance your self-confidence.

Question: 83. How would you rate your persuasive skills? Give me proof of your persuasiveness.
Answer: T his answer should reflect your leadership quality but don't mention any example in which you are working as a team leader, rather explain a situation in which you actually don't have authority but still you were able to convince others. Describe your responsibility and the out come of your persuasion and why and how others came forward to co-operate you. Also mention you have got any reward for your effort.


Question: 84. How would you react if your manager, your supervisor and your team leader ask you to do something at the same time?
Answer: The interviewer tries to find out the way you handle pressure and how you identify priorities? So you have to first check the level of priority of each responsibility and on the basis of that choose the most crucial one to do first.

Example: Suppose your manager is asking you to arrange an office party in the coming week and at the same time you have to submit the project to your supervisor you are working for, then you should give priority to the project as it is more important. Later you can report your manager that the party can be arranged within a couple of days. The manager can very well understand you're responsibilities and would appreciate for your better supervision.

Question: 85. It's your first job. Do you think that you would be able to handle the job despite your lack of experience?
Answer: If you are a fresher, the interviewer may ask this question. However, it will better for you to first find out the basics needed for the job and do some ground works accordingly. Give examples of your interest, expertise, and academics, and relate them to the current job.

You can also take help of some professionals and same kind of organization in collecting information on this field, which can make them feel that you are interested. So the most important thing is to match your skills with the occupation.

Question: 86. Are you creative? Are you analytical? Can you work under pressure?
Answer: Hey, you got to give an affirmative answer with a suitable example as these questions test your confidence and capability. Since past achievements are indication for your future success talk about your past experience, achievements and while explaining stick to what you can do. Also discuss a particular assignment in which you excelled yourself.

Question: 87. Do you consider yourself a natural leader?
Answer: The interviewer can baffled you with this question; however, you have to come with yes with good explanation. Most of us don't actually show that much of confidence to lead but here you have to pick out some of your skills that you have used in your previous organization or which will be useful for this one also. Yes, you have to focus on your interpersonal skills.

Question: 88. Tell me about your life at College or University.
Answer: School, college and universities are full of opportunities, so the interviewer wants to find out what qualities you have gained in these period to develop a good personality. No needs to look your past regretfully pointing out any unsuccessful things, rather present what you have learnt in a positive way so that the interviewer can assess your capability. Be honest, whether your experiences were all good or not.

Question: 89. Do you have the required qualifications to handle this job?
Answer: This question is to prove your credibility by demonstrating the skills you have learnt. If the job is technical in nature, you need to present your technical knowledge at the interview. Employers may use service data agencies to verify your details mentioned in the CVs, so avoid any kind of small lies in the details of your CVs.

Again, it's important for you to know the required qualification otherwise it will not possible for you to show your eligibility. So study first the basic qualification required for the respective post and then highlight your selling points i.e. experience, skills, achievements and academics by targeting the job to prove their relevance to the job.

Question: 90. Do you consider yourself organized? And do you manage your time well?
Answer: Here you have to proof your skills regarding time and task management. You can answer that you manage your time very well by completing your project before schedule. Also mention any project that you have completed in time and can tell the interviewer about your performance reviews in the previous job.

Question: 91. What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?
Answer: Again this question offers you a chance to present your USP. So it becomes important for you to understand the details of the job and give an answer that should reflect your skills and experience. Try to mention every aspect of your academics experience, achievements and responsibilities in your conversation, as the interviewer may not have caught all the information.

Question: 92. Do you prefer to work with others or on your own?
Answer: You have to first understand the requirements of the job and answer should be accordingly to convince the interviewer that you are appropriate for the job. If the job demands teamwork then you should enjoy working with others and if you have to do any kind of individual work like data entry, then you might be enjoy work on your own. However, a good answer can be that you enjoy both working in a team with complete co-operation and also enjoy doing my part of the project individually. You can give an example of your previous job.

Question: 93. Have you ever had to work closely with a person you didn't get along with? How did you handle the situation?
Answer: The main intention of the interviewer that you are able to put all personal difference aside and give only priorities to work. Here you should show your flexible nature and can get along with anybody to make the work done. Give also some of your previous work related example.

Question: 94. Why do you want to become a supervisor?
Answer: The best answer might be that you want to grow yourself professionally and personally also want to build a team in which you will be able to share your ideas and experience with others for better performance.

Question: 95. How would you evaluate your present organization?
Answer: Explain the valuable experience you have gained from the previous or present organization. Never mention anything negative otherwise the interviewer will assume that you were not loyal to the previous farm and can continue with this kind of attitude.

Question: 96.What are you doing, or what have you done to reach your career objectives?
Answer: Talk about all kinds of academics and training programs that you're doing for shaping your career.

Question: 97. Are you a good supervisor or team leader?
Answer: Yes, my co-workers and team members like me respect me for my contribution and so I guess that I am a good supervisor/team leader.

Question: 98. If you could start again, what would you do differently?
Answer: Here self-revealing is not important.
Example - Though everyone wants to make some changes but I think, I have learnt a lot from all of my mistakes and hope can use my experience in prospect.
Question: 99. How would you RATE me as an interviewer?
Answer: You should answer this in a friendly manner. This question is to measure how you react under pressure. You should repeat this question with a smile and may say calmly that it is one of the tough interview you have ever been attain with some different kinds of questions but I think I have succeed in this

Question: 100. What is your salary history? Do you expect that pattern to continue?
Answer: Here you have to describe the salary structure of your last organization and the percentage of increment that you had got at the end of the term. Also mention that increment depends on the overall performance and the extra responsibilities that one bears. However, every company should provide excellent reward to its employees for their committed effort.

You can also explain the negative aspects or drawbacks of the previous company's salary structure that forced you to look for a better company where I will be rewarded according to my performance.
Every organization or institution requires good professionals in different fields, who are capable of taking the organization forward. So it becomes essentials for every candidate who comes for interview to present himself/herself in a professional way in order to become a part of the organization. To be successful in an interview needs attire, confidence, poise and excellent communication skills. Most interviews are competency based and so candidates are asked to answer a number of questions in order to demonstrate their practical knowledge and their ability to tackle adverse situation.

Apart from doing a little research on the company, it will better to prepare answer to some common interview questions the interviewer is likely to ask as such as: tell me about yourself, what are your strengths and weakness, why do you want to work here, why should we hire you, etc. Here are a number of commonly asked questions that can give you an overall idea about the kind of questions that an interviewer asks and surely this will boost your confidence in any interview

Interview tips by Siva sankar IRS

SOME TIPS FOR INTERVIEW
 
1.people who are trying to catch up with current affairs issue,INDIAN CURRENT AFFAIRS BLOGSPOT(http://indiancurrentaffairs.blogspot.com) will be very useful.its a blog exclusively for current affairs. It not only have current affairs as news but in q & a format,with some background details. It also has previous issues monthwise and datewise so previous issues can be easily caught up
 
2.tips for interview is not something new but timely reinforcement of points will come in handy at this hour
 
DIRE OPTIMISM is the need of the hour.
 
its basically personality test rather than a test of knowledge.
 
THE PARAMETERS WHICH THE BOARD LOOKS FOR ARE

 ATTITUDE
APPEARANCE
CONFIDENCE
PLEASANT MANNERS
PRESENCE OF MIND
OPTIMISM
SPONTANEITY
HONESTY
(ITS NOT MY OPINION ,BUT BY IRAIANBU I A S)
 
its logical as the knowledge is already tested in mains so ur attitude and personality speaks a lot in interview.
 
BODY LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOUR  speaks a volume about you rather than the words you utter
interview is not just what you speak but how well you conduct yourselves.
 
above all SMILE makes 20 marks +.keep smiling thats important and make them smile which is much more important.
that is have INTELLECTUAL HUMOUR.
 
they are old and wise people and no board is good or bad .make the old  a clean bowled with your charming personality and pleasant manners and u can be sure that your MINIMUM MARKS ARE 240

 

Text of one UPSC interview which scored 225/300

Lets put the promised review on the backburner for a while.
The latest UPSC Mains results are out and the interview process starts in a few days. My days of UPSC glory are finally over. New winners will emerge in a few days and the flood of marriage proposals ( which my family had to tide over) will dry up. So, time to go back to my own interview one last time (first time on the blog though).

My interview was taken by the panel of Ms. Arundhati Ghose. Yes, the same Arundhati Ghose of the " Not Now, Not Ever" fame. On August 8, 1996, she made this statement and became a hero of the nation. I remember reading about her then and wondering about diplomats for the first time. Needless to say, ever since I found out that she is a member of the UPSC, I was praying to clear the mains and be interviewed by her panel. The intensity of my prayers increased once I actually cleared the mains. All this despite the fact that she had the most fearsome reputation for stress interviews and at times, of virtually throwing out the candidates if they did not meet her standards. She doesn't waste time, I was told. Here is one such horror story that was narrated to me:
The candidate had put "gardening" as one of his hobbies. The first question was to name the botanical names of 5 plans in his garden. He couldn't. Ms. Ghose took him out of the room to the potted plants outside and told him their botanical names. Then, she told him that the interview was over.
I don't know if this was true or not. But I know of other people (first hand accounts) who actually trembled in front of her. One candidate was so nervous that he picked up papers from the table ( which did not belong to him, but to Ms. Ghose) while leaving when the interview got over. There are lots and lots of such stories.

While my sympathies were with these victims, in my heart I knew that these people really did not deserve good marks. If you can't stand pressure in an interview, how will you take it when you are posted as a senior police officer or a district magistrate or an ambassador later in your life? Anyway, I wanted her panel. No matter what the marks. If the circumstances were any different, I could even have asked for her autograph!!!

Anyway, the day of my interview arrived. I was at the UPSC waiting hall and was informed that the table at which I was designated to wait belonged to some other panel in the morning session. My heart sank. There were 3 other people with me for the same panel. I was going to be the third candidate to be interviewed. Later, only 2 of us cleared. One lady was already in some other service and she continued with it. One person probably went back to prepare for next attempt ( he was the first to be interviewed).

The interviews were to start at 2:00 PM. At 1:55 PM, a peon came to our table and said, "madam ka panel hai" (You are with The Madam's panel). There was no mistaking who The Madam was. You can't imagine the number of heartbeats my heart skipped. Wow! All the other people waiting at other tables heaved a collective sigh of relief. Apparantly, nobody wanted this panel. Except me.

First man went in at 2:00 sharp and came out sweating at 2:30. He made a mess of it. Ms. Ghose was very unhappy with him. The reputation was coming true. The lady candidate was next in. She went in at 2:35 and came out at 3:05. She spent half her interview trying to justify some triviality in her form. I was next at 3:10 PM.

There were 5 people on the panel. Lets call the members M1, M2, M3 and M4. Sitting right in the middle was Ms. Arundhati Ghose (AG), smoking a cigarette ( Marlborough Lights, my guess). I wished her first (being the chairperson, as well as the only lady member there) according to protocol and then the other members collectively. I waited to be asked to be seated and took my seat when she asked me to.
She put out the cigarette and scanned my resume form (standardised UPSC format).

AG: Mr. Kumar, you passed out of IIT recently.. oh no, in 2002. This is April 2004. What have you been doing all this time?
VK: Ma'am, till November 2003, I had been preparing and appearing for the successive stages of the civil services examination. After that, I joined a telecom software startup started by some of my friends from IIT Bombay here in Delhi. I am there in an..
AG: Wait. Why are you speaking so quickly? Are you nervous? Just relax and take it easy. Speak slowly.
VK: Yes ma'am, I am nervous. This is my first, and hopefully the last, interview ( smiles, trembles inwardly but doesn't show it).
AG: Good, so proceed. What did you do at this startup?
VK: Ma'am, I am there in an informal capacity and do not draw any salary except the expenses and I help them out in any way possible. But by and large I deal with initiating contact with foreign telecom companies who might be interested in buying our software. I find out the companies, look for a key person, initiate contact, see if they would be willing to buy something. Once I get something positive, I hand it over to my Boss.
AG: So, you actually talk to these companies.. the foreigners?
VK: Yes.
AG: Have you succeeded somewhere? Which country?
VK: Ma'am I initiated the first deal that we made, in Brunei.
AG: Okay. You have given IFS as your first preference, despite your father being in the Police. Why?
VK: There are 2 reasons ma'am. Firstly, I have always wanted to represent India. To have that India tag on me. There is this feeling of pride I can't explain. And secondly, I see more and more challenges ahead for the IFS in an increasingly globalised world. It seems exciting and I want to be where the action is.
AG: What is the biggest issue in the US presidential elections?
VK: Lots of them actually. Afghanistan, Outsourcing…
AG: No, the biggest issue.
VK: The Iraq War?
AG: Yes. Now, can you update me on the Indo-US relations?
(VK launches into an answer explaining things and bringing the Indo-Pak-US triangle into focus).
AG: You were talking about pride. But this is the government, you would have to do as your boss tell you to. Right?
VK: Yes, ma'am.
AG: Now, suppose you are in an Indian Embassy in some capacity below the rank of Ambassador. You get a direct order from Delhi, which you think is contary to our National Interests. Would you still carry it out?
VK: As you said ma'am, I probably would have to.
AG: (adopts a very nice tone) No! You must never do that. You should try and talk to the Ambassador and get him on your side. Once that is done, you can negotiate with New Delhi.
VK: But ma'am I was assuming that all this had been tried before. The order can not come out of the blue. The matter must have been under consideration for some time and I would have discussed it with the Ambassador already.
AG: Even then, you must not give up. The only guiding principle for you would be India's National Interest. Nothing else. If you think something is wrong, refuse to carry out the order. The national interest must never be compromised.
VK: Yes ma'am. I'll try my best to do that.
AG: Okay, you mentiom science fiction as your hobby. Name a few writers.
(VK names a few)
AG: All this fiction is fine, but has any of it ever come to reality?
(VK says yes and names a few things)
AG: Do you stay updated with science facts as well?
VK: Yes.
AG: Tell me about the Mars Mission.
(VK proceeds to talk about it. Can not name the vehicle. Discussion ensues around the table on the name and ends when Ms. Ghose brings it to an end)
AG: Okay, enough. Now the others can ask questions.
M1: You say listening to music in one of your hobbies. What kind of music?
VK: All kinds, Sir. Depends on my mood. I listen to pretty much everything.
M1: Even classical?
VK: Yes.
M1: Name some kinds of music.
(VK names 12-13 genres or so and is interrupted mid-sentence)
M1: The criminalization of politics is such a big problem. Why do criminals win elections?
VK: Because the elections are never fought on those lines. No matter what the national media says, down in the constituency, the issues are extremely local and mostly based on caste equations and local politics. So, unless there is a big wave, everything national is actually very local. Criminal backgrounds do not decide voters' choices. Except perhaps the urban few, who do not vote anyway.
M1: So, what is the solution?
VK: Perhaps to stop them from contesting. Stricter legislation to prevent them from contesting and a more transparent information system. At the same time, efforts need to be continued to educate the people about the importance of these reforms.
M2: Mr. Kumar, what is this BPO thing? How does it work?
VK: Business Process Outsourcing Sir. (explains the BPO phenomena)
M2: Do you thing it will last?
VK: For the short-term, yes. But other developing countries will start catching up. Besides, there is the issue of growth of the BPO company and the professional growth of people working there.
M2: Meaning?
VK: An individual whose only skill is to answer calls would probably find it hard to find another job 5-6 years down the line. Not all of them can become managers. Besides, there are pressures of the lifestyle.
M2: You mean the health hazards of people in call centres. Elaborate.
VK: Only yesterday, there was a report in newspapers about a study that found the incidence of stress related disorders, drinking and ( pauses, looks at Ms. Ghose, who had lit a cigarette a few minutes ago, and smiles)… smoking.
AG: (burtsts out laughing).. what did you say?
VK: Smoking ma'am. People working in call centres have been found to be more prone to smoking and they obviously expose themselves to the related health hazards.
(AG laughs some more and puts the cigarette out in an ash-tray which resembles an agricultural field growing cigarettes)
M3: You are a chemical engineer from IIT Bombay. Why did you opt for Philosophy and Public Administration?
VK: Philosophy because I have always been interested in the subject matter. My father named me after Swami Vivekanand and I have been reading material on Indian Philosophy ever since I started reading. Public Administration because I thought that if I have to do administration in life, I might as well learn something about it. Plus, the guidance was easily available.
M3: If a foreigner, during your posting abroad, asks you about the sociological impact of schools of Indian philosphy on life in India, what would you say?
VK: I'm sorry Sir, but my study has been restricted to the content of these philosphies. I have't studied their impact.
M3: But you are interested in the subject. Would you continue reading more on the subject?
VK: Of course Sir. I find the subject fascinating.
M4: Mr. Kumar, a little while ago, while discussing Indo-Pak relations, you mentioned that India need not comment on every little thing that happens in the world. I say, we have no need to even talk to Pakistan. Do we have something in common with them. I say nothing. Nothing at all. Do you think there is anything we have in common with them?
VK: At least 2 things Sir. Firstly, the common history we share. We were practically one country barely 50 years ago. And… (interrupted by M4)
M4: No. We have no need to talk to them.. (repeats the same question again after a long monologue)
(VK starts answering again, and is interrupted again, M4 starts the same monologue)
AG: (sounds very angry and upset with M4) Enough M4! This is his interview. Why don't you shut up and let him speak? Vivek, you answer the same question to me and ignore him completely.
VK: As I was saying ma'am, firstly there is the shared history and heritage. And secondly, both countries have claims on Kashmir. And no matter what we say, it keeps coming up again and again everywhere. It is an issue that we do share, though uncomfortably.
AG: You have held several positions at IITB.. Election Officer, Placement Representative etc. You have also won a few awards from your hostel for "organisation". What is all this?
(VK explains the positions held at IITB and the awards from Hostel-3).
AG: Any last questions (looks around at all members)?
M4: May I ask one last question?
AG: Sure. Go ahead.
M4: You played hockey for your hostel for a while. What is the future of India hockey.
VK: Looks reasonably bright to me, Sir. At least the prospects are good. Youngsters are coming up, sponsors are also pitching in. Coaching seems to have improved.
M4: Do you think Dhanraj Pillay is good enough for the Indian team. Should he play?
VK: Well Sir, he is the most experienced and he is absolutely fit. He is the best player we have…
M4: No no.. just say Yes or No. Should he be in the team?
VK: Yes.
AG: Okay. The interview is over. You may leave Mr. Kumar. Thank you.
(VK thanks her and all the members and walks out without turning back)
I went straight to the waiting room and sipped some cold water. Phew! Time? 4:05 PM. I had lasted over 50 minutes!!! Incredible!
The conversation is more or less exact. But of course, some approximations have been made. I have also forgotten a few points. The highlight of the interview for me was the fact that she actually asked a member to shut up and let me speak. And the fact that she could understand the joke I tried about smoking being bad for health.
It was such a relief to know that it was over. I was swamped in the waiting hall by other people and the next candidate.
I came out of the UPSC campus and walked to Rajasthan House where my uncle was staying.
I analysed my performance to be worth atleast 200 marks (out of 300). This was one hell of a satisfying interview. I didn't sweat. My voice didn't shake. I made Ms. Ghose laugh several times. She asked a member to shut up for me. And… she was explaining things to me as if I was already in the IFS. Surely, that couldn't be a bad sign.

As it happened, I got 225 in the interview :)

She has retired now. I am in the service. A lot of my prayers were answered around that time.

 

Thank God. Thanks Ms. Ghose :)

 

Seven ways to keep your Gmail data safe

To Another Gmail Account

In the event of another software bug or system crash, the chances of all Gmail accounts being compromised is minimal. Even when Gmail rolls out new features, they do so in phases—and this is primarily to identify and fix any teething issues. Therefore, all you have to do is create another Gmail account and import all mails and contacts from your primary account. To do this, sign in to your new Gmail account, click on the little 'gear' icon in the top right corner and click 'Mail Settings'. Here, under 'Accounts and Import', you'll be able to import mail from your old account.

To Hotmail, using TrueSwitch

Hotmail may have lost out to Gmail when it comes to number of features, but they still have an estimated 364 million users—the highest in the world for any free email provider. And they want to make it all the more easier if you decide to make the switch from any other free email account to Hotmail. To do the switch, Hotmail has tied up with TrueSwitch (trueswitch.com).

TrueSwitch is normally a paid service that makes it easy to transfer all your email from one account to another. In this case, Hotmail will bear the expense, if you decide to switch. But you can use this feature to back up your Gmail data and still keep on using Gmail. To use the service, head to secure5.trueswitch.com/winlive and enter all the required credentials.

Gmail-Backup

Gmail-Backup is a software tool which you can download for free from gmail-backup.com. To use it, you need to have IMAP access activated in Gmail. To do this, sign in to your Gmail account, click on the little 'gear' icon in the top right corner and click 'Mail Settings'.

Here, under 'Forwarding and POP/IMAP', you can enable IMAP access. Gmail-backup will use IMAP access to create a complete backup of your accounts data on your hard drive. Depending on how much data you have and the speed of your internet connection, this could take quite a while. Your computer and internet connection will need to be active for the duration of the transfer. The softwate also has a restore function, to copy locally stored data back into a Gmail account. Gmail-backup's website also has a forum which can address any issues you may have.

 

 

Mailstore

Another free solution for email backup, Mailstore (mailstore.com) can access multiple online email inboxes using POP3 or IMAP access. The process is easy enough; just download the free software and enter in your email credentials. Like Gmail-backup, Mailstore has an online community which can address backup problems.

Gmail Keeper

For a one-time price of $19.95, Gmail Keeper (gmailkeeper.com) offers a Gmail-specific backup tool that is easy to understand and can backup all folders and labels in Gmail (including the inbox, sent mail, starred mail, drafts and so on). It can backup everything as a .ZIP file to your hard drive. It also offers the ability to back up multiple Gmail accounts at the same time.

Backupify

Backupify (backupify.com) can backup all kinds of online services that you use, such as Gmail, Google Docs, Picasa, Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, Zoho and Blogger. Once backed up, you can search through, download or restore the data at any time. They offer three plans; a free plan that can backup up to 5 accounts with a storage limit of 2GB per account, a Pro 100 plan that can back up 25 different accounts with 20GB storage per account for $4.99 a month and a Pro 500 plan that can back up an unlimited number of accounts with unlimited storage for $19.99 a month.

 

Useful Web links

For ICC worldcup schedule - http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-schedule/series/228/icc-world-cup-2011?view=list

For Free online UPSC lessons and Tests - http://testfunda.com/ExamPrep/MyPrepCentre/PreviousTests

For upsc-collaborative learning- http://www.upscmantra.com/index.html

KNOW YOUR PAN  - https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/knowpan/knowpan.do

Free software for Income Tax Return - https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/downloads.do

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You only live once but if you work it right, once is enough....

SADHU NARASIMHA REDDY IRS

Civil Services Exam - Facing the Interview Board

Civil Services Exam - Facing the Interview Board

B.S. Warrier

Last week, we had indicated the main features of the Civil Services Examination interview. A natural question that emerges is, "What would be the nature of the interview questions?" Well, it is anybody's guess. The questions would depend on the first impression created by you in the mind of the members of the interview board, your background, and the mood of the members. Indeed, there are areas in which you could focus during the preparation. Some of the possibilities are indicated below:

 Meaning of your name.

 Questions on your village/ town/ city/ State/ college

 Detailed questions on your hobby

 Why did you choose mathematics / history / electrical engineering / and so on as your subject of specialisation?

 After your degree in engineering, you are opting for the civil services. Why? Does it not amount to wasting your hard work in technical studies? (We may avoid pleas like "opportunity for service to the nation", while answering questions of this genre).

 If you are a professional like an engineer or a surgeon, you may asked how you would use your specialised skills you have gained through hard work.

 Questions based on situations, like how you would face flood havoc in the district under your control.

 Your preferences among the different services

 Latest developments in the national/ international scene. Hot topics of the day. (You have to update your knowledge on current affairs. If something significant happened a day or two before the interview, you should gather full details and be ready with our views and comments on it.)

Keep a copy of the form filled for the main examination, since it is quite likely that the board starts from it.

Reach the exam centre at least half an hour before the scheduled time, so that you can be quite calm and well poised when you are ushered in. If you fear traffic jam or other hurdles, start earlier. Never listen to persons who might tell you that the interview is only a farce and that you have no chance in getting selected unless you have proper connections at the top. The board looks for competent candidates. Be confident that your chances are bright. Keep a positive frame of mind. While you are waiting for the interview in the reception, you may engage yourself in friendly chat (not nerve-racking discussions) with other candidates, so that you become totally relaxed.

 Enter the interview room gracefully. Greet the board. Take your seat when asked to do so. Listen well. You body language should reveal that you are listening well. Maintain eye-contact. Do not be too smart and try to answer a question before it is spelt out in full by the member. You can think for a couple of seconds for organising your thoughts before giving an answer. You should appear to be earnest and serious about your success in the interview. Do not be casual in your approach.

Your dress should instil confidence in you. Avoid newly-stitched clothes, since you would be too self-conscious and uncomfortable in it in the beginning. Light colours may be preferred. Women should avoid gaudy dress, pungent perfume, and heavy jewellery. They can appear in their best attire for the occasion, in a saree or salwar-kameez of fine taste. They should avoid distractions like the saree slipping from the shoulder or hair slipping to the forehead during the interview.

Men can wear polished black leather shoes. Well-ironed dress, properly-combed hair, and trimmed nails will add to your self-assurance. After all, an interview is a mind game as well. Look and posture are important in any interview. Remain calm and composed in all circumstances. Never look agitated or tensed. Keep a cheerful disposition. Remember, there is no second chance to make a first impression.

Be natural in your poise, facial expressions, and movement of hands. Be relaxed. Do not show signs of nervousness by acts such as wiping your nose, rubbing your ear, or playing with any part of your dress or any article found on the table.

Be brief in your answers. Answer to the point. Never be too fast or too slow in speaking; maintain a normal pace ensuring clarity. If you have not understood a question clearly, do not try to answer it on any presumption. Get necessary clarification through a polite request and then proceed.

 Do not miss the main point because of your anxiety in going through the details with great care. Never beat about the bush. If you do not know the answer to a question, confess your ignorance straightaway. You cannot hoodwink the board comprising experts. Never take extreme views on controversial subjects; it is a happy medium that would help you. You can take a stand, provided you have ample facts to support it. You should be consistent in your views. But never go for tiresome arguments to establish your views; you may present your views dispassionately through convincing words and body language. Be logical.

Never make unreasonable generalisation. Though there is an element of exaggeration in it, you may keep in mind the saying, "He who generalises, generally lies."

Be polite and courteous through words and body language. If you have an occasion to mention one of your significant achievements, do not try to make it look something great. The board is endowed with ample skills for objective judgement.

Speak with clarity. Never be vague. Use simple language. Do not try to flaunt your vocabulary. Do not use technical jargon, except in a rare instance of a specific question on technical details being raised by a member. If there is an occasion when the members laugh, you need not join them; but you may smile.

 Avoid mannerisms such as "You know," "I think," "Basically," "sort of," and "like." If you feel that you made some error during the interview, do not brood over it. Think of the next answer you have to give.

Speak with clarity. Never be vague. Use simple language. Do not try to flaunt your vocabulary. Do not use technical jargon.

Thank the board before you take leave of the interview.

Courtesy: the Hindu – Education Plus